Crate



July ,26, 1927. 36.804

M. A. BROWN CRATE Original Filed Nov. 19. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q 30 ,22 24 Mayor/2 /Z row/2 WITNESS: ATTORNIY July 26, 1927. 1 1,636,804

M. A. BROWN CRATE Original Filed Nov. 19, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.5

7 2521 25 1a 19 4 m 4 1 A Mal m H. Eran/12 INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNESS:

Patented July 26, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARVIN AUSTIN BROWN, OF AR'I'ESIA, NEW MEXICO.

CRATE.

Application filed November 19, 1923', Serial No. 675,735. Renewed June 4, 192?.

This invention relates to improvements in crates and has for an object the provision. of a folding crate which is simple, strong and durable in construction, may be securely held against accidental collapsing, but which may be folded into a flat compact form for shipment or storage.

Another object of the inventionis the provision or" a folding crate which includes novel means for connecting the side and end walls to the top and bottom of the crate, the said means acting as reinforcing means and providing stops for the said walls to limit their movement in one direction.

sl ith the above and other objects in view, the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings 2- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a crate constructed in accordance with the invention and set up for use.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same.

Figure 3 is a transverse section.

Figure is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the crate collapsed.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of the crate collapsed.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the hinge strips.

Figure 7 is a similar view of another hinge trip.

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of one of the hinge plates.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the crate as shown comprises a bottom 10, a top 11, side walls 12 and end walls 13.

The bottom which is preferably solid may be of any suitable construction, while the top, side walls and end walls are preferably formed of frames to which is attached a wire mesh. The top is provided with an opening which is normally closed by a slide let, the latter having a limited movement in either direction.

The side walls are hingedly secured to the top as shown at 15 so as to fold inwardly, but it is obvious that they may be hinged to the bottom if desired.

The end walls are hingedly secured to both the top and bottom of the crate and for this purpose there is provided hinge plates 16 and 17. One of the plates 16 is secured to the bottom at one end of the crate while a similar plate is secured to the top at the opposite end of the crate, while a plate 17 is located at one end of the bot tom.

The plates 16 are preferably formed of sheet metal and are shaped to provide spaced pairs of parallel ears 18 having openings therein and secured to the end walls by hinge pins 19. The plate 16 which is connected to the bottom of the crate is provided at each end with angularly disposed extremities 20, forming stops to limit the outward movement of the side walls 12. Y

The bottom of the crate is provided with reinforcing strips or cleats 22,the latter being secured to, the bottom of the crate. The plate 16 at one end of the bottom extends transversely across these strips 22 so that the cars 18 extend upwardly upon opposite sides of vertically disposed strips which form a portion of the end walls 13. The vertically disposed strips of the opposite end wall 13 have secured thereto hinge plates 25 which are substantially channelshaped and which have extending down wardly therefrom spaced ears 24;. These ears are located upon opposite sides of the adjacent ends of the strips 22 and are connected to said strips by hinge pins 23. The

plate 17 which is located at this end of the bottom extends transversely across the strips 22 and is provided with spaced pairs of slots 21 to receive the ears 24. The plate 17 thus provides a spacing plate at this end of the crate. I

Additional stops 27 are secured to the bottom of the crate in alignment with the stops 20 and 26. These stops 27 are provided with openings for the reception of pins 28 which are carried by the side walls 12. hen these pins are engaged within the openings movement of the side and end walls longitudinally of the crate is prevented.

In order to hold the side walls against inward swinging movement, there are provided spring latches 29 which engage sockets 30. These sockets are formed in the base portions of the stop plates 27, the said portions providing means for securing the stop plates to the bottom of the crate. I

To fold the crate, the latches 29 are disengaged and the side walls 12 swung inward beneath the top 11, whereupon the to may be swung;- downward due to the hinge connections of the end walls with the top and bottom of the crate.

In addition to providing:- means for hinginn the end walls to the top and bottom of the crate, the hinge strips l6 and 17 provide reinforcing strips at the ends of the crate.

The invention is susceptible of various cnann'es in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right .is herein reserved to make such changes as properly "fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention what is claimed is 1. A crate comprising a bottom, top, side walls and end walls, means hingedly connecting the side walls to the top wall to permit of inward folding movement, means for hingedly connecting the end walls to the top and bottom of the crate, means carried by the hingedly connecting means to limit the outward movement of the side walls and means for holding the side walls against inward movement and apertured stop plates extending; from the bottom oi the crate and proiections carried by the side walls for entrance within the apertures of the stop plates to hold the side and end walls against movement longi udinally of the crate.

2. A crate comprising a bottom, top, side essee r .outward movement of the side walls and means for holding the side walls against inward movement.

' 3. A crate comprising a bottom, top, side walls and end walls, means hingedly connecting the side walls to the top wall to permit of inward folding movement, means for hingedly connecting the end walls to the top and bottom of the crate, said means including; transwersely disposed hinge strips, spaced pairs of ears carried by the strips and hingedly connected to the end walls dian'onallv opposite corners of. the crate, hinge plate? securec to the end walls, spaced pairs of cars extending; from the hinge plates for pivotal connection with the top and bottom walls, means for l miting the outward movement of the side walls and means for holding said side walls against inward movement.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

M. AUSTIN BRONN. 

